Where to buy beautiful hand-made mugs?

[ClydeBay]

My dc’s partner will be spending Christmas with us for the first time this year. They have a difficult relationship with their own family and have never experienced a ‘family’ Christmas’, iyswim, so I want to make it as special as possible for them and let them know they are a part of our family. (They have been together for just over three years, the relationship is long-distance right now, but they come to stay a few times a year.)

An idea for one of their presents was to buy them their own mug, as everyone else in the family has their own and I just feel it would be another way to make them feel at home and part of the family.

They are an extremely talented artist, very creative and really appreciate beautiful artisan, hand-crafted items. In which case, I thought perhaps a beautiful hand made mug, but having looked at hundreds online this weekend, can’t seem to find the right one.

It’s not easy to describe their style, as they are quite alternative. They are always impeccably turned out and make a lot of their own clothes, some of which include absolutely stunning medieval embroidery or complex knitting or crochet. They wear New Rocks and DM’s style boots and favour chunky leather bags and chunky jewellery. So nothing too delicate like china, I was thinking maybe hand-made pottery with an unusual/interesting glaze? Probably favouring richer colours like plum, black, dark green, burgundy etc. Not too big, as they never seem to finish a full drink. I keep seeing mugs that I would love, but they are all in pastel shades or over-sized.

Does anyone have any suggestions for where I could look please? (Budget is up to £35.00.) I have spent hours on Etsy, but there is so much generic tat to wade through on there these days and the search function is hopelessly non-specific.

@Epli It’s a lovely idea. Usually I would love to go and visit some museums, craft and art centres etc. Unfortunately I am unable to get out and about at the moment, so all my Christmas shopping has to be online this year. I’m finding it a lot less fun and at times really frustrating, but this thread has cheered me up and given me lots of new sites to peruse and save for future ideas.

@Talipesmum I have made a mental note about which of our mugs they tend to use when they stay, so I have a pretty good idea. We have a real mix and they definitely favour the more chunky and rustic ones and avoid the china. I’ve checked with my dc too and apparently their favourite mug at home is a hand made chunky pottery one.

We don’t have any mugs with dark interiors though, as neither dh or I like drinking from them, so I’m thinking I should avoid that, just in case.

@MooBaggage Thank you. Some lovely quirky things on their site, sadly not quite right for this recipient, but I have bookmarked them for future reference.

https://naetive.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleAOaaW9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAafFu-x3Q2NI4uclazWIbUDnAyjHSfLo3Nm3xTgo1xJEgblQMdjfMbJGSZfFQA_aem_XcL-X-FQm_ZbSxNdQGKi0A&brid=h5_ieA72UF-6_it39y51PQ

I think these are fantastic but maybe too delicate?

Just wanted to say this thread has a lovely warm feel to it. Thank you all sometimes it's good to feel that.

I bought some for my brother from here and I really like them. www.mudireland.com

@Moonlightfrog Thank you and I do take on board your point, but I want it to be something special and unique, so accept that comes with a premium. Ultimately it’s up to them if they want to take it home and honestly, I will be delighted they like it that much if they do.

As per one of my previous posts though, they have been wanting to keep some things here, partly to save on luggage costs and also because this is their home away from home, so it would be nice if they had familiar things they love to come back to. (In addition to their partner of course!)

I have found a couple of options on Etsy and shortlisted them now, but am now in Instagram and am stuck in the house, so sadly restricted to online shopping this year.

@shellyleppard. Thank you. I have found a fat poppy cat in Bristol, but she doesn’t appear to have any mugs. I did realise I actually bought one of her brooches for my MIL’s birthday though! 😀

@ClydeBay that is definitely the right lady. They might still be on her website, she's selling them on behalf of her father. Very responsive on Facebook messenger tho x

@Fasterthan40 Thank you. I like the fact the darker colours still have neutral interiors. I have added the Northern Lights colourway to my shortlist.

@shellyleppard Thank you. I will check her out again a bit later then.

@Gobolino80 Thank you. I can’t see anything that’s quite right for the recipient on there at the moment, but the sky blue range would look gorgeous in my new kitchen!

@Worried8263839 Thank you. I love those, especially the quirkiness and amount of customisation options. Yes, probably too delicate for this recipient, but I have bookmarked the website to revisit for gift ideas in future.

@BlackAmericanoNoSugar Sorry, nearly missed your post. Thank you for the link. Someone suggested Mud Ireland upthread. They are lovely and I have shortlisted a couple, but am still not sure about dark interiors for mugs.

can also highly recommend

Just wanted to thank everyone again for all their suggestions. I hope I haven’t missed anyone.

So many lovely options and I am pleased I can still buy direct from individual makers, even though I’m stuck at home.

I have put together a shortlist and will go through them with my dc to make a final decision. I think I may have ended up with a longer list for myself than for the present though!

Some beautiful mugs here. I must say though that I would be absolutely baffled if someone gave me a mug then told me I had to keep it at their house, like a toddler having toys at granny's 😂

I really like Glosters and they are handmade in Wales.

I'd use a local potter if you have money to spend and want bespoke pieces. You could probably brief them on style/colour etc

Both of these are a bit pricey;

Japanese Hasami mugs.
Hasami mugs

These may be a bit too pastel.
Glazed Me Pretty

I cant get that link to work beyond a picture of the mugs?

A friend of a friend makes beautiful personalised dark green or dark blue mugs at http://www.campbeltownpottery.co.uk/ in the Scottish highlands. He’s called Simon Rochford and his details are on the website. Not sure if he’s run off his feet atm. The mugs are (I think) a nice blend of being elegant but usable. Not whimsical or mimsy or ‘knicky-knacky-noo’. You can have a proper brew in them. You can just see the beginning of the name round the RH side of this one.

I think it's a lovely idea OP. You could leave it up to the recipient to either take it with them or leave at yours - an off-the-cuff suggestion of the latter may work.

I have a soft spot for both Edinbane Pottery and Highland Stoneware, but for something perhaps more colourful, I really like Ella Fletcher's designs here

It was only a picture of the mugs @Sidebeforeself

I was unable to source current stockists which carry his mugs (lots of vases though)

He does have an instagram account

www.instagram.com/bideaurichard
eta; link was only going to instagram landing page

www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1489275516/?ref=share_ios_native_control